UAS provides a comprehensive set of benefits for employees. Download an pdfemployee benefits summary.

Employee Medical Dental and Vision Premium Rates effective 1/1/2023 Opens in a new window

Leave and Holidays

The UAS Office employees are eligible for annual leave (vacation) by category as described below. Eligible employees are encouraged to take their earned vacation during the year in which it was earned. Eligible employees who are employed on or before the 15th of the month earn vacation at the full monthly accrual rate; eligible employees employed after the 15th do not accrue any vacation for that month. Vacation may be taken in one-hour increments; fractions of an hour are rounded to the nearest hour. Only accrued unused vacation may be taken and vacation hours or days cannot be advanced. Vacation must be approved by the employee’s supervisor before actual absence except in an emergency.

Recognized holidays occurring during vacation will not be charged to vacation time. No allowance will be made for sickness or other incapacity occurring during vacation.

  • Annual Leave

    UAS Office employees are eligible for annual leave (vacation). Exempt and non-exempt employees accrue 22 days per year at the time of employment. Employees should submit leave requests via isolved as soon as is practical. Supervisors must approve or deny leave requests before payroll processes for the period in which the leave will be taken.

    Part-time employees accrual rate is prorated.

  • Sick Leave

    Eligible employees are granted sick leave due to absences as a result of personal illness or injury, or serious illness within their immediate households to the extent of available sick leave. Immediate household includes any relative living in the employee’s home.

    All employees earn sick leave at the rate of one day for each full month worked.

    Part-time employees accrual rate is prorated.

  • Personal Days

    UA System Employees receive five personal days per fiscal year (October 1 – September 30) used at the discretion of the employee and approved by their supervisor. New employees will be prorated according to hire date.

    Personal holidays must be taken between October 1 and September 30 and are NOT accumulated or rolled over.

    Part-time employees accrual rate is prorated.

  • Paid Holidays

    UA System Office employees receive ten designated holidays each year as follows:

    • New Year’s Day
    • Martin Luther King Day
    • Memorial Day
    • Juneteenth
    • Independence Day
    • Labor Day
    • Thanksgiving Day
    • Friday following Thanksgiving
    • Christmas Eve
    • Christmas Day

    Normally, if a holiday falls on a Saturday, it shall be observed on the previous Friday. If it falls on a Sunday, it shall be observed on the following Monday.

    The current year Holiday Schedule can be found on the Employee Resources Page.

Health and Wellness

The UAS Office requires all regular full-time employees to carry health insurance as a condition of employment. Waiver of this policy may be granted for those who provide evidence of substantially equivalent coverage through another group or through individual policies. Regular part-time employees with a .5 FTE or greater may enroll at their option. Temporary full-time employees also have the option to enroll, but temporary employees who work less than full time are ineligible to participate in this program.

Disability and Life Insurance

The System helps employees plan for the unexpected with sponsored group life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, short-term disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance.

Retirement

All eligible employees are required by state law to participate in the Teacher's Retirement System (TRS). This defined benefit program provides retired employees with a specific benefit payable monthly for the lifetime of the member. In addition to the employee contribution, the System contributes a percentage which is determined by the Alabama Legislature. The University of Alabama System also offers supplemental 403(b) and 457(b) plans.

  • 401(a) Teacher's Retirement Plan

    All eligible employees are required by state law to participate in TRS. This defined benefit program provides retired employees with a specific benefit payable monthly for the lifetime of the member. In addition to the employee contribution, the System contributes a percentage which is determined by the Alabama Legislature.

    • Tier 1 Employees (those hired prior to January 1, 2013), contribute a mandatory 7.50% of their gross annual salary to TRS.
    • Tier 2 Employees (those hired on or after January 1, 2013), contribute a mandatory 6.20% of their gross annual salary to TRS.

    Further information on retirement benefits can be found in the TRS Handbook, links to these are listed below.

    Upon service retirement, employees are also eligible to join the state’s Public Education Employee Health Insurance Plan (PEEHIP). Rates for this plan vary based on years of TRS service.

    Individuals resigning from employment before vesting in the program, or before qualifying to receive benefits, may request a refund of their contributions and applicable interest.

    For more information, select from the links below:

  • 403(b) and 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plans

    403(b) Deferred Compensation Plans

    The University of Alabama System offers a 403(b) supplemental retirement plan that allows eligible employees a great way to accumulate wealth for retirement. The plan, administered by TIAA, offers convenient payroll deduction, pre-tax contributions, tax-deferred growth, and a wide variety of investment options including Roth options. The University of Alabama System makes a matching contribution for all regular Full-Time Exempt staff on employee contributions up to 5% of gross monthly pay. Any contributions above 5% are not matched by the System.

    TIAA

    TIAA offers a one-on-one counseling session with one of their advisors. Contact our HR Department to be directed to our representative.

    457(b) Deferred Compensation Plans

    The University of Alabama System provides a choice of 457(b) plans that allow eligible employees to defer receipt of a portion of their salary until some later date, usually at retirement or termination of employment. Contributions are made on a pretax basis and accumulate tax-free until withdrawal. Contributions to 457(b) plans may be made instead of, or in addition to, any 403(b) contributions. 457(b) Plans are not matched by the System.

    Eligible employees may participate in both 403(b) and 457(b) plans in the same year, contributing up to the maximum amounts allowed by federal law to each plan.

    You can enroll or manage your plan through TIAA Opens in a new window.

Educational Benefits

Educational Benefits for Employees

Educational assistance provides reimbursement to eligible full-time employees of an amount equal to 100% of the tuition costs for three (3) credit hours in the fall and spring semesters and six (6) credit hours in the summer terms at the standard on-campus, in-state graduate or undergraduate tuition rate. All other hours taken will result in reimbursement of an amount equal to 50% of the tuition costs at the standard on-campus, in-state undergraduate or graduate tuition rate. Higher tuition rates for special enrollment programs, such as but not limited to law school, medical school, or executive programs do not entitle employees to amounts above the standard on-campus, in-state graduate tuition rate. Fees and other charges will not be reimbursed. Please see the University of Alabama System Office Educational Benefit Policy for more information on eligibility and procedures.

Educational Benefits for Spouse and Dependents

After eligible employees have been employed six (6) continuous months, spouses and dependents may be reimbursed an amount equal to 50% of the tuition costs at the standard on-campus, in-state undergraduate or graduate tuition rate for eligible courses. Higher tuition rates for special enrollment programs, such as but not limited to law school, medical school, or executive programs do not entitle the eligible dependent to amounts above the standard on-campus, in-state graduate tuition rate. Fees and other charges will not be reimbursed. Please see the University of Alabama System Office Educational Benefit Policy for more information on eligibility and procedures.

More Information

Eligible part-time employees will receive a prorated amount of educational assistance based upon their full-time equivalency (FTE). For example: an eligible part-time employee of .50 FTE would be eligible for an amount equal to 50% of the tuition benefit.

NOTE: In the event that there is more than one eligible employee within the family unit, only one tuition reimbursement shall be granted to the employee. In order to obtain reimbursement, employees must first enroll and then submit original receipts along with a Reimbursement Requisition to the Director of Financial Operations who shall process the reimbursement. If a “rush check” is needed, be certain to notify the Director of Financial Operations.

Tuition Assistance Application Opens in a new window

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Everyone has problems juggling the demands of work, family, and other obligations that combine to make life stressful. Effective August 1, 2018, The University of Alabama System Office has contracted with American Behavioral to provide professionally trained counselors to give you options and resources for coping more effectively with a variety of life challenges. Effective Oct. 4, 2021, American Behavioral will be rebranded as Uprise Health Opens in a new window after a recent acquisition. The new brand better reflects the company's focus on being a digital mental health company market leader that cares for the total person.

  • Uprise Health Partnership

    Headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, Uprise Health Opens in a new window is a full-service behavioral health care organization with a nationwide network of licensed and credentialed providers in 38 specialties. Eligible employees and dependents residing in Tuscaloosa, outside of Tuscaloosa and even out-of-state will have expanded access to highly-qualified EAP counselors.

    Your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers confidential assessment and short-term, professional counseling services. Eligible employees and dependents may receive up to five (5) free face-to-face sessions per episode per year to address pressures associated with marital and family issues, grief and loss, interpersonal relationship difficulties and more. Uprise Health also provides unlimited access to scheduled, telephonic counseling or coaching sessions. To access articles, tips, self-assessment, and skill-building tools, go to the EAP Portal Opens in a new window and register your account.

  • EAP and Work-Life Services: An Overview for Employees (Download PDF)
  • Counseling Services

    The University of Alabama System Office’s EAP is an employee assistance and counseling program designed to provide eligible employees and their family members with resources for resolving work-related and personal problems, including but not limited to:

    • Marital and Relational
    • Parent-Child
    • Behavioral Problems of Child
    • Mental Health and Substance Abuse
    • Emotional and Stress-Related
    • Job-Related
    • Personal and Household Budgeting
    • Extended Family

    The Employee Assistance Program provides a free assessment, short-term counseling (5 in-person sessions), and referral services. Referrals are made in consultation with you if additional mental health services are needed. The benefits provided by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama will be explored with you in selecting a provider.

  • Work/Life Services

    Personal Advantage is a work-life website that contains more than 20,000 articles and interactive resources for topics such as emotional well-being, family life, health, financial, legal, personal growth and stress. Popular items include personal development training, downloadable will kits, financial calculators, and parenting articles. Employees have access to a free, comprehensive legal consultation or free session with a certified financial professional, as well as referrals to thousands of community resources including 12-step groups, community mental health agencies, and more.

    Visit Uprise Health Opens in a new window and select Member Login and use the company name of “UofA”to register.

  • Training and Education

    Throughout the year, EAP staff members are available to conduct programs and classes on a variety of topics. To schedule a specific subject or event for your department, please contact Jessica Harrison in Human Resources.

    For training topics, visit the Uprise Health website and register in the EAP Portal Opens in a new window.

  • On-site Crisis Intervention

    In the event of a major disaster, loss of life, or crisis situation, Uprise Health Opens in a new window EAP staff are available to provide on-site assistance also known as Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) within two hours. Please contact the Department of Human Resources at (205) 348-9506 when a “critical incident” impacts your employees or the workplace.

  • Confidential Services

    EAP services are always confidential. Information regarding you and your counseling sessions is not released to your manager or supervisor and will not be made a part of your personnel file. Only statistical data is reported to the University of Alabama System Office that provides a composite of the employee population served. Your right to privacy is protected within the State of Alabama and federal guidelines.

Employee Training

In-person Training

UAS employees may participate in all in-person training available at each UAS employee’s respective campus. You may need a campus ID badge or number in order to participate. For registration and schedules, please contact your campus’s Human Resources office.

Additional Benefits

WellBAMA

WellBAMA Opens in a new window is the University of Alabama’s signature wellness program for faculty and staff including UA System Office employees. Their dedicated team of health and wellness professionals are available to help you understand your current level of health, identify goals, and provide you with the programs and resources you need to achieve those goals. Don’t forget, for employees who participate in WellBAMA, some training courses count toward your program requirement for the year. Reach out to UAS Human Resources Opens in a new window for more information on qualifying programs.